DC to offer Internet gambling, becomes first in US

WASHINGTON (AP) – TheÂ District of Columbia is becoming the first U.S. jurisdiction to allow Internet gambling, trying to raise millions of dollars from the habits of online poker buffs and acting ahead of traditional gambling meccas likeÂ New Jersey andÂ Nevada.

Permitting the online games was part of the 2011 budget and a 30-day period forÂ Congress to object expired last week, said D.C. Council memberÂ Michael A. Brown, who authored the provision. The gaming would be operated by Intralot, a Greece-based company, and would be available only to gamblers within the borders of the district.

Officials were not sure when the gaming would be up and running, though DC lottery officials said they were in talks with their vendor and expect to know more within weeks. Though other states have contemplated legalizing online poker, experts said the district would be the first jurisdiction in the country to do it.

The move to legalize the games comes despite a 2006 federal law that effectively banned Internet gambling. The law basically prohibited banks andcredit card companies from processing payments from gambling companies to individuals. But the law is murky, and gambling experts say it created enough grey areas to open the door for a deeper expansion into the multibillion dollar industry.

“There was really no clear law that said we could not do this,” Brown said Wednesday.

D.C. hopes to tap those millions to help offsetÂ budget cuts and help social services programs, Brown said. Conservative estimates from D.C.’s chief financial officer indicate the district could bring in around $13 million to $14 million through fiscal year 2014, according to Brown’s office.

The gambling green light is no doubt good news to poker players, but D.C. would be authorized to offer other games of both skill and chance. It would be up to lottery officials to come up with regulations and decide which games to permit.

“Anytime you’re cutting budgets and you want to save some programs, you’re looking for different pieces from different pots and you hope that you get to the number that restores thoseÂ budget shortfalls and that’s what we’re trying to do with this,” Brown said.

Jeff Ifrah, a lawyer whose firm represents online gaming companies, said he was dubious about any revenue estimates since they naturally assume that online poker players will migrate from their favorite site to a new one endorsed by a state.

“Players are really loyal in this industry,” Ifrah said. “You really have to ask yourself what is the incentive a player is going to have to leave a trusted site with global competition to play in a site that’s untested and kind of unknown and doesn’t offer you the same level of play.”

Keep the Fake News Media in check.

Don’t let the MSM censor your news as America becomes Great Again. Over 500,000 Americans receive our daily dose of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness along with Breaking News direct to their inbox—and you can too. Sign up to receive news and views from The 1776Coalition!

We know how important your privacy is and your information is SAFE with us. We’ll never sell your email address and you can unsubscribe at any time directly from your inbox. View our full privacy policy.